Its not often the sun shines in the UK, and when it does you wouldn’t be shocked to smell the aroma of a BBQ in the area and a shortage of burger buns and beef patties in your local supermarket. Although everyone loves a great BBQ, sometimes grilling safety is often forgotten about and in some cases ignored. Just like most cooking appliances a BBQ causes great risk especially due to the high temperatures they can generate, even when extinguished. In this post we will give you insightful tips to stay safe this summer when cooking outside.
Most commonly BBQs are used at home in a garden, if you do choose to BBQ at home, please ensure these safety precautions:
• Always use a BBQ on a level ground and flat surface, sometimes BBQS can have a lack of stability, and a slight gust of wind can cause them to topple.
• Do not use accelerants on your BBQ.
• Never light a BBQ in an enclosed space this is extremely dangerous and can lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide which can be fatal. Always BBQ in a well-ventilated area.
• Choose your location wisely and ensure they are not on a flammable surface or near flammable items such as towels, aprons, and oven mitts.
• Avoid drinking when in the control of a BBQ and distractions from people, you should also never leave the barbeque unattended even if it’s just for a second!
• Always supervise children and animals when in the space of a BBQ and advise a safe distance. In the case of an emergency have a bucket of water nearby.
• Once you are done cooking ensure the BBQ is cooled down and properly out.
Disposable BBQs
Disposable barbeques are a popular choice for people as they are inexpensive, portable and can be thrown away after use. However, they can be more dangerous than a standard BBQ due to the locations they are used at, and they also cannot be recycled so are often discarded in public spaces. During heatwaves some supermarkets impose a ban on the sale of them when there is a lack of rainfall as there is a risk of wildfires.
When using disposable BBQs be aware of:
• Some parks and areas of land in the UK have fully banned the use of disposable BBQs and if you are caught using one in this area, you could receive a large fine.
• If a disposable BBQ is not put out properly, they can cause grass fires especially in hotter weather when the ground can be dry, as grass is highly flammable. Grassfires can turn into wildfires which are uncontrollable and unpredictable. They can spread very quickly and be damaging to wildlife and even homes.
• Ensure the ground underneath the disposable BBQ is non-flammable.
Remember a great BBQ starts with great safety!